Rafael Nadal is due to make his final foray into a French Open tomorrow, in what promises to be a blockbuster opening round.
Entering the draw unseeded, given he is ranked 276th in the world, there was great anticipation over who the Spaniard might draw.
It promised to be a tough one for him, but also for whoever had the misfortune of facing one of the greatest of all time at the start of a Grand Slam.
However, in Alexander Zverev, Nadal arguably could not have got a tougher match-up.
It would be a crying shame to see him dumped out so early in what has been his most successful tournament, but he has now suggested that it might actually not be the last we see of him in Paris regardless.
Rafael Nadal makes bold Roland Garros claim
Speaking to the Roland Garros press ahead of his mouth-watering first-round clash with Zverev, one reporter once again asked the burning question that has continued to plague Nadal ever since announcing that this would be his final year on tour.
And whilst the 37-year-old has often been rather stern in his stance, this reply did seem a little more flexible, and hopeful at a future where he can continue competing.
He noted: ‘Is this my last Roland Garros? Probably yes, but I don’t want to say 100%. I don’t want to close the door. This place is magical for me.
‘I may say yes in a couple of months, but I feel better than a month and a half ago.
‘I am enjoying and feel competitive in training. I can play against anyone and I don’t feel worse than others. That gives me hope. I progressed since Rome, especially in terms of movement. I can run without limitations now.
‘I’m not anxious, I’m focused on trying to play. Maybe I will repeat the disaster of Rome but in my mind, I’m going to give myself a chance to be competitive here. The answer will be on Monday.’
Rafael Nadal could follow in Andy Murray’s footsteps
There is a video that still resurfaces on social media every now and then regarding Andy Murray, which is only really funny in hindsight.
After all, whilst the 37-year-old remains on tour to this day, and is even due to make his own return to the tournament as it is officially day one of Roland Garros, it could be easily forgotten that he actually retired in 2019.
Or, revealed plans to.
In the end, a successful hip surgery breathed new life into the Scotsman, and has allowed him to continue playing the sport he loves for at least a few more years.
But, ahead of what was meant to be his final Australian Open, they unveiled a video of his fellow tennis players wishing him well and congratulating him on a fine career.
Murray likely soaked up that adulation and then got straight back to work, and Nadal could perhaps follow suit, embracing the awkwardness of going back on a retirement claim after being given a heroes farewell from a few tournaments now.
The tennis world would certainly revel in another year or two of the legendary Spaniard’s presence, meanwhile Murray actually seems set to make this his final year, once and for all.
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